BioShock: Rave Reviews at Metacritic

The new Xbox 360 title BioShock looks to have grabbed the new high review score record over at aggregate site Metacritic.com, where the game is scoring a 97 out of 100 among critics.

I mentioned last week that my launch-era Xbox 360 recently up and died on me just when I got my hands on the game. One feature I never appreciated about on the Xbox 360 until now is the one that lets you swap out your hard drive at the push of a button. I was able to commandeer another Xbox for my important journalistic purposes this weekend, and jeez was it worth it.

The previous high score for an Xbox 360 title at Metacritic, I believe, was a 94 rating for Oblivion, from local game studio Bethesda Softworks.

BioShock hit stores yesterday. Anybody else out there have a chance to play it yet?

Comments

I spent about 3 hrs with it last night along with several of my friends.

So far the the game is awesome (with the exception of the widescreen issue). I can't remember the last game that literally startled me but this game has done it on 3 occasions already.

Great job 2K now just get that overzoomed HD problem fixed so my field of vision isn't so constained.

Posted by: Jason B | August 22, 2007 1:14 PM

I got almost four hours in last night, and it's amazing. The game really gets under my skin like no other, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. In many ways it reminds me of a classic movie that takes a while to fully sink in and appreciate, there are so many themes and subtleties there in the story telling.

Posted by: Adam | August 22, 2007 1:31 PM

I agree with you Adam-- well put.
This is a game I'm going to be spending a lot of time with.

Posted by: Musgrove | August 22, 2007 3:17 PM

I'm downloading the PC version via Steam right now, hopefully I'll get to play later tonight. The demo was really cool on the PC, and I'm happy it looks great and runs well on my old Pentium 4 and newer (but not newest) Geforce 7800 graphics card.

Posted by: Jimbo | August 22, 2007 9:18 PM

This is the first time I've ever felt like I *needed* to play an Xbox 360 game, and I'm not buying a console for one game. I would just borrow someone's and give it a play... but I'm in Afghanistan. Nobody I know brought a 360, though there are a few Wiis floating around and the tiny PX here has some PS3s that mostly collect dust. But no way for me to play BioShock here with throwing down $350.

Damn you, Osama.

Posted by: John M. | August 22, 2007 10:02 PM

I just finished the 2nd level, wow, what a game. Sure its a shooter, but a thinking man's shooter. If you go in guns blazing you'll get slaughtered. Nearly all attacks must be planned, especially against the Big Daddys.

Whats the latest on getting your '360 repaired? Are you logging receipt of coffin, etc?

Posted by: Mark in PA | August 22, 2007 11:35 PM

I'm now on the third level. In short, the game deserves its 97% ratings (it got 9.7 out of 10 at ign.com). Everything and I mean everything is done right: story, sound (fx, music, voice acting), graphics, weapons and powerups, AI, controls, cut scenes, etc. I'm torn between finishing the game to see what happens and admiring every niche of the virtual world in which I've been spending a few hours each evening. Is it 5:00 yet??

Posted by: Ken Fiester | August 23, 2007 9:51 AM

BioShock certainly has my vote for game of the year. I love the freedom I have in the game; there's just so much to do. The NPCs are hilarious and tough. I'm still waiting for my first shot at a "Big Daddy," though. That should be interesting.

Posted by: AB | August 23, 2007 10:11 AM

Update: I got the dreaded Red Ring of Death playing Bioshock.

I'd already noticed some graphics glitches and framerate slowdowns. I attributed them to memory leaks: not surprising for a such a technologically advanced game. Each time I'd reboot my 360 and that seemed to fix the problems.

Yesterday I got the red ring. The good news is that this one wasn't fatal: after powering off the 360 and letting it cool down I was able to play again. Even so, I fear that my 360 is damaged and will die soon -- probably just in time for Halo 3, sigh. I've elevated my 360 to improve airflow to the bottom vents.

I suspect that the intense graphics of Bioshock are (over)heating my 360. But the blame lies with the poorly-designed console.